The second space on Xiaomi is a convenient feature for separating personal and work data, but sometimes it becomes unnecessary. Users face problems: the system slows down, takes up excess memory, or just want to return the phone to the single interface. However, standard deletion through settings does not always work - space can remain in the system like a ghost, taking up space and causing errors.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to completely reset the second space on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones (including models from 2023-2026 on MIUI 14/15). Particular attention will be paid to hidden space files that remain after surface deletion and can interfere with the operation of the phone.
What is the second space on Xiaomi and why is it difficult to remove it?
Second Space is an isolated environment in MIUI that creates a separate desktop, applications and settings, essentially a sandbox with its own:
- 📱 Application data (cache, accounts, files)
- 🔑 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, brightness)
- 📂 File structure (internal memory is divided into two sections)
The problem is that when you delete through the Settings menu → Second space → Delete often stays:
- 🗑️ Residual files in the folder /data/secondspace (before 1–3 GB of garbage)
- 🔄 The processes that continue to work in the background
- 🔒 Link to Mi Account if the space was created with authorization
For example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro after surface removal users complain about:
- Freeze when switching between spaces (even if the second one is no longer there)
- The “space damaged” error when trying to create a new one
- 5-10% of memory loss for no apparent reason
Method 1: Remove from standard settings (for MIUI 14/15)
If the second space is not password protected and not damaged, try the standard method:
- Open the Settings. → Second space.
- Select Remove the Second Space.
- Confirm the action by entering the screen unlock password.
- Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 5 minutes).
⚠️ Note: If you are in the Settings menu → The memory is still visible to the occupied memory of the Second Space, which means the files have not been deleted completely.
Turn off sync with Mi Cloud| Backup important data | Battery charge at least 50% | Close all applications
-->
On some models (e.g. POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12), a notification may appear after deletion: “Data Cleanup...” with an endless progress bar. This is a MIUI 15 bug – only a hard reset will help (see Method 3).
Method 2: Delete via Mi Account (if the space is secure)
If you try to delete the second space, the system requires a password from Mi Account or if you make an error "You do not have permission to delete", then the space is tied to the account.
- Go to the Mi Account website and log in.
- In Devices → [Your Smartphone] → Second Space, find the Delete option.
- Confirm the action via SMS or email.
- Restart the phone and the space will be deactivated.
⚠️ Note: If you forget your Mi Account password or your phone was purchased by hand, you can’t restore access to the space without resetting to factory settings.
| Xiaomi model | Supports deletion through Mi Account | Is a screen password required? |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 14/13 series | Yes. | Yes. |
| Redmi Note 12/11 | Yes. | No (only Mi Account) |
| POCO X5/F5 | Yes. | Yes. |
| Xiaomi 12T/11T | No (only through settings) | Yes. |
If the space is still displayed in the settings after deleting via Mi Account, try:
- 🔄 Restart the phone to Safe Mode (click the power button) → Restarting in Safe Mode).
- 🧹 Clear the system cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Clear the cache of all applications.
Method 3: Complete Recovery Reset (for complex cases)
If the first two methods fail, you'll have to reset hard through Recovery Mode, which will delete all the data on the phone, including both spaces, so first:
- 📤 Backup on PC or in Mi Cloud.
- 🔋 Battery charge of at least 70%.
- 🔐 Make sure you know the username/password from Mi Account (required after resetting).
Instructions for discharge:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
- From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
- Confirm the action by entering the yes code (if required).
- After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) may need to unlock the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool after reset. If the phone fails to turn on or gives an error "This device is locked", follow the unlock instructions.
What if the phone asks for an old password after reset?
After a hard reset, the second space will be removed without recovery. If you need to save data from the main space, use the Mi PC Suite to back up before reset.
How to check if the second space is completely removed
Even after successful deletion, residual files can take up space to make sure that the space is completely reset:
- Check Settings → Memory – Section Two Spaces Should Be Absent
- Open the File Manager → Internal memory and make sure that the secondspace folders or miui_secondspace absent.
- Run ADB and execute the command: adb shell ls /data/ | grep secondspace If the command does not return results, the space is removed.
If the folders are left but the space is not displayed in the settings, manually delete them via ADB:
adb shell
su
rm -rf /data/secondspace
rm -rf /data/miui_secondspace
reboot⚠️ Note: Removing folders through ADB If you don't have any, use the Mi Unlock Tool to unlock the bootloader and then run your phone through Fastboot.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When you remove the second space, you have a typical problem, and we're going to look at the most common ones.
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "Failure to remove space" | File system damage or busy processes | Reboot your phone and try again. If it doesn't work, reset it through Recovery. |
| "Mi Account password required" | Space is tied to the account | Delete via Mi Account or reset your phone |
| Space is gone, but memory is not freed. | Residual files in /data | Clear the cache or delete folders through ADB |
| After reset, the phone asks for a password from the second space | The Find Device function is activated | Enter the password from Mi Account or restore it |
If neither method worked, it could be the firmware problem, and some models (e.g., Xiaomi Mi 11 with MIUI 13) have a bug where the second space gets stuck in the system.
- 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest version through Settings → Update of the PO.
- 📥 Fastboot phone with the Mi Flash Tool.
💡
If the phone starts to brake after removing the second space, clear the Dalvik cache via Recovery: select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Dalvik Cache. This will speed up the system without losing data.
Alternatives to the second space on Xiaomi
If you deleted the second space but still need to separate the data, consider the alternatives:
- 🔐 Guest mode: Settings → System and device → Additionally. → Guest mode: Allows you to create a temporary profile without splitting memory.
- 📱 Parallel Apps (dual applications): Cloning messengers and social networks through Settings → Annexes → Dual annexes.
- 🔒 Shelter (open source app): Creates an isolated profile based on Google's Work Profile.
- 🖥️ Virtual Machine: Applications like VMOS UserLand emulates a second Android within the main system.
The advantage of alternatives is that they:
- They don’t share the physical memory of the phone.
- They don't need to be tied to a Mi Account.
- They can be easily removed without a trace.
For example, Shelter is suitable for separating work and personal accounts on Telegram or WhatsApp, and VMOS will allow you to run games or test applications in an isolated environment.